182 
TREE-GOOSE. 
walking near the banks of the river, observed a large 
Eagle frequently darting towards the water, and then 
rising again. On a near approach, he perceived that 
its object was to take a wild Goose, which had 
alighted on the water, and which was diving to avoid 
so powerful an enemy. Its efforts, however, appeared 
to be vain, and, after diving again and again, and as 
often rising to get breath, it became nearly exhausted ; 
when, suddenly turning, it made for the shore with 
all speed, towards the officer’s house, where two men 
were at work ; and as soon as it had landed, walked 
leisurely up to them, permitting itself to be taken, 
without attempting to escape. It was completely 
exhausted, but soon recovered, and, within three 
days, seemed quite contented and confident of pro- 
tection. 
Amongst other species of wild Geese, there is one 
called the Bernacle or Tree-Goose ( Anas erythropus ), 
which we shall mention on account of the extra- 
ordinary origin imputed to it, not only by ignorant, 
but even by some better informed people, in former 
days; and which may be adduced as one, amongst 
very many instances, of the advantages of know- 
ledge, in separating truth from error. 
It will scarcely be now-a-days believed, that this 
Bernacle, or Tree Goose, actually derived its name 
from a very general belief, that, instead of being 
hatched, like other birds, from an egg, it was pro- 
duced from a shell which grew on trees and rotten 
wood ; and the shell was, therefore, called, the 
goose-bearing shell ( Lepas anatifera ). For this 
foolish idea there was no other foundation than 
pieces of wood and decayed trees being often found 
